Fisher House Foundation, Inc.

Nonprofit Issues:

Health, Homeless & Housing, Philanthropy

Address:

111 Rockville Pk Ste 420RockvilleMD20850USA

Mission:

Fisher House Foundation is best known for a network of comfort homes where military and veterans’ families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving treatment.
These homes are located at major military and VA medical centers nationwide, close to the medical center or hospital they serve. Fisher Houses have up to 21 suites, with private bedrooms and baths. Families share a common kitchen, laundry facilities, a warm dining room and an inviting living room. Fisher House Foundation ensures that there is never a lodging fee. Since inception, the program has saved military and veterans’ families an estimated $235 million in out of pocket costs for lodging and transportation.
Fisher House Foundation also operates the Hero Miles program, using donated frequent flyer miles to bring family members to the bedside of injured service members as well as the Hotels for Heroes program using donated hotel points to allow family members to stay at hotels near medical centers without charge. The Foundation also manages a grant program that supports other military charities and scholarship funds for military children, spouses and children of fallen and disabled veterans.

Results:

Families served: More than 220,000
Number of lodging days offered: Over 5.2 million
7,000 students have received $11,000,000 in scholarship awards
Over 50,000 airline tickets provided by Hero Miles to service members and their families, worth nearly $73 million

Target demographics:

provide temporary lodging for loved ones of those getting care at the hospital

GreatNonprofits News

Reviews for Fisher House Foundation, Inc.

My husband had a spinal cord injury and we live 2 hours from the Dallas VA & Fisher House. I cannot tell you how pleased I was with the way I was treated at the Fisher House. Any thing that you could possibly need is provided to you. Food, toiletries, internet, tv, alarm clock, phone, etc. I had three meals a day and snacks, but most of all I was walking distance from the hospital. All the other families there were like family. They all support each other and you hear why they are here. Sometimes when you are feeling down they all gather to give you a boost and a hug. This place is a blessing from God for the Vet's family. Not having to worry about where you will stay and how much it will cost, takes a load off your mind. Thank You Fisher House for a wonderful experience.

I am retired military and I recently reached out to the Fisher House for help in obtaining lodging in Houston while my wife is being treated at MD Anderson for Stage 4 Breast Cancer. When I called The Fisher House in Houston the woman on the other end of the line stated " We only allow Veterans to stay here, not their families" and ended the call. I also spoke by phone with the Director at the Fisher House at Eglin AFB near where I reside. I asked him to call his peer in Houston on my behalf. He said that he would. It has been five days....nothing. Why does Fisher House allow house managers to make policy? I am saddened and disappointed at the actions of Fisher House. I will, however, get help for my wife in Texas if I am forced to buy a tent. If I do maybe I'll set up camp on the lawn at Fisher House.

We are so sorry for your experience with the Houston Fisher House. The houses are owned and operated by the VA or branch of the military associated with the base. The VA owns the Fisher Houses at Houston and is responsible for eligibility requirements. Both houses are consistently full and as such can only accommodate families of those getting care at the DeBakey VA Medical Center.

When my friend lost his leg in Iraq in 2008 his mom stayed at a Fisher House for several months, and their Hero Miles program flew his dad into town on weekends (while he stayed at home working to pay the bills.) Without that support I don't want to think what would have happened.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

This charity's numbers look great until you look at the salary of its leader. Four hundred thousand a year for running a charity is almost oxymoronic. I'll find one whose leadership isn't so highly paid.

I am a staff member of the Veterans Administration with a Fisher House on our grounds. A service needed for so many families of the increasing number of seriously injured and damaged veterans. I was stunned to see the salary of the President of Fisher House. The Secretary of Veteran Affairs, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and so on.....could not add their salaries together to reach this amount. I will continue to support the families in many ways, but will not contribute any more money after learning about the over $400,000 salary.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

On July 19, 2009 my son was critically injured in Afghanistan while clearing roads of improvised explosive devices. Fisher House generously paid for my airfare from San Francisco to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington DC, so that I could revisit him after some new medical complications occurred. Thank you, Fisher House.

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

In the summer of 1999, I worked at the facilities at Walter Reed Medical Center and the annex near Bethesda. My wife, Joan, had one of her many surgeries for brain cancer and we both stayed in the welcome refuge of the DC area Fisher Houses at different periods.
I helped and enjoyed working on the landscaping and grounds. We were blessed to have such support in a tough time when family was hundreds of miles away. Vivian Wilson, who moved to Germany later, was outstanding to work with

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

My experience was the best I've had with any non-profit. outside a church. Few if any organizations come close to their high professionalism and a very high portion of all expenses go to their mission directly.

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

Have more charitable groups match their administrative overhead ratio

Would you volunteer for this group again?

Definitely

For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?

A lot

Did the organization use your time wisely?

Very Well

Would you recommend this group to a friend?

Definitely

What one change could this group make that would improve your volunteer experience?

build a facility in Montgomery Alabama, where I now live

Did your volunteer experience have an effect on you? (teaching you a new skill, or introducing new friends, etc.)

kept me sane at a time when it was essential

How did this volunteer experience make you feel?

useful, helpful, generous and appreciated

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

In July 2005, my then husband (who is UK Army) was working with coalition forces in Iraq - he was very seriously injured. Fortunately, he went via Ramstein in Germany before coming home to the UK, and I and my youngest child (only 7 months at the time), were able to visit him there. We stayed at the Fisher House there and it was amazing, the ethos and the surrounds, words cannot truly convey what it meant to me, but I felt supported.
Sadly, there was nothing like that in the UK, but it inspired me to try and make that difference as The Fisher House had made a difference for me, hence the SSAFA Norton House 'home from home' project (reviewed in the Fisher House 'Patriot' journal Summer/Fall 2009). It was most certainly a concept worth duplicating and the support it has given to families here in the UK is amazing. A heartfelt thank you from Sue Norton x

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

my life, it has left a lasting impact, a feeling that I was supported at a time when I truly needed it, someone cared, and this care which touched me has since touched over 700 peoples lives further in the UK.

How frequently have you been involved with the organization?

One time

When was your last experience with this nonprofit?

Im not only a volunteer for this organization but my husband is in the Army and went through a tour in Iraq. I am confident and certain that if anything were to happen we would be taken care of. Thankfully he came home fine but so many dont. The service members I see are incredible, they go through so much, they are truly fighters in ways you wouldnt imagine. I love working with them. Im honored to work with them.

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

volunteering, when you see these guys go home to live thier lives, its something I cant describe.

What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...

The miltiary is like a family but the folks at fisher house, residents, employees and volunteers alike are bonded together like glue.

The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...

Caring, supportive, informative,

If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...

The thing we need help with most is building alot more of these facilities, service members are coming home everyday injured in ways you cant immagine and if we can help in some small way to help them get through these times as a nation we need to do it!!